First Of A Living Breed (CD)

Homeboy Sandman

Amoeba Review

BillyJam 09/18/2012

Hot on the heels of the other two 2012 releases he recorded for Stones Throw Records (the EPs Subject Matter and Chimera), Queens, NY school-teacher turned full-time emcee Homeboy Sandman drops his third release within a busy nine month period. His first full-length for the the Peanut Butter Wolf headed label, First of A Living Breed, is a 14-track album that finds the prolific and gifted wordsmith delivering more his stream of consciousness sounding rhymes. Throughout he tackles a variety of topics ranging from the thought-provoking, political rap of "Illuminati" to "Not Really" which addresses how little his life has changed since signing with Stones Throw. Homeboy Sandman stays true to singular form and, unlike the typical guest-heavy rap albums out there that distract from their subject, Sandman keeps the focus on his flows as he handles near all mic duties. He does however wisely enlist several different producers (including 6th Sense, Oddisee, and label mate Jonwayne) that bring out the best in this distinctive emcee.